Hand controlling device



g- 1958 R. G. DELL HAND CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 28, 1954 ROBERT'G. DELL IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent HAND CONTROLLINGDEVICE Robert G. Dell, Weirsdale, Fla. Application 0ctober'28, 1954, Serial No. 465,242 3 Claims. (Cl. 2-20) This invention relates to the improvement in mitts for use in playing athletic games such as basket ball, volley ball, and the like.

' It is an object of the invention to provide a device for developing in a player of basket ball-the proper followthrough on shots and passes.

A further object is the provision of a device in the form of a mitt or glove like device which is adapted I Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the portion of the device in the palm of a hand.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a partial glove 1 which is fingerless and thumbless having a plurality of openings 3 for the passage of fingers. In the pahnof the glove is positioned a disc 2 which is made of steel or the like. a

In operation a player Wears a pair of these glove like arrangements during basket ball practice period, however the device can also be used for volleyball practice or on the throwing hand of a baseball player during idling practice. The weight of the steel disc aids in developing the proper follow-through of shots and passes in basket ball practice and also in conditioning and in strengthening the arms for the various ball handling movements.

The stifiness of the steel disc discourages any tendency to use the palms of the hands in handling the ball, but

the thinness of the disc does not distract fiom the hand position on a ball from that which is generally accepted as being correct. 7 The device can be easily applied or re- -moved in the same manner as a glove.

Some of these advantages flowing from the use of the present glove might be pointed out herein connection with the playing of the game of basketball, for example.

In learning to play the game of basketball, the beginner tends touse his entire hand surface, includingthepalm of the hand in handling the basketball. The beginner is inclined to do this because of the extra traction and sense of touch provided by the palm of the hand. However, I

correct ball handling in basketball demands'that the ball be held, passed, shot or dribbledsolely by use of the fingers. The ball should never touch the palms of the hands. This manner of handling the basketball is a point of technique, not a matter of protecting the palms of the hands from the force of the striking ball.

The disc 2 is carried by that portion of the glove which extends across the palm of the hand of the player and is of such a size and shape that it fits into and covers the central part or deepest part only of the palm of the hand. By interposing the circular disc between the ball and the palm of the hand, the'palm is not only insulated from the ball, but also insensitized astheball handling medium. Thus, with the use of the present device, thereis no tendency for the player to use the palms of his hands in the handling of the ball as he is immediately aware that they would be of no aid in this respect. Consequently, the beginner resorts to the use of the fingers and thumbs alone for this purpose.

The above description is to be considered as illustrative and not limitative of the invention, of which modifications can be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The invention having been described, what is claimed 1s:

1. A glove for fitting over the hand of a player engaged in a game in which a ball is employed comprising a palm portion adapted to engage and cover the palm of the hand of the player, and acircular rigid member having a member is made of thin, stiff steel.

3. A glove for fitting over the hand of a player engaged in a game in which a ball is employed comprising a palm portion adapted to engage and cover at least a part of the palm of the hand of the player, and means carried by said palm portion of the glove comprising a circular rigid member having a diameter equal to substantially half the width of the palm portion and disposed at substantially the central part only of said pahn portion .for insulating the palm of the hand of the player from contact with the ball so as to prevent traction of the ball on the palm and to prevent the player from experiencing any sense of touch of the ball through his palm, said glove having finger holes adjacent the forward edge of said palm portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent 2,845,628 Patented Aug. 5, 8 

